A Little Knitty

So, this week I finally took the leap...the REAL potty training. Up until now it was something like this... 1. Put daughter in underwear 2. Daughter pees on floor, carpet, couch 3. I get frustrated and put her in diapers This was getting both of us no where. So I finally manned up (womaned up??) and got rid of EVERY diaper in the house...EVERY one. This was super scary, for me. So here are a few things I've learned in the last few days. 1. If I have an inkling that my little brown eyed beauty is about to pee/poop...I should trust that feeling. 2. I have never in my life been so excited to see someone poop. 3. When selecting shoes for the day, pick ones that are easily rinsed and collect urine. 4. Just because you've potty trained a child, doesn't make it any easier...or make you feel any less like a first time parent. 5. "Let it go" makes an AMAZING potty training song....seriously, try it out...      Let it go, let it go don't hold it in anymore Let it go, le

I was raised on Hamburger Helper...I actually liked it! But as I got older I figured out the convenience was great...but there was better tasting meals out there. I have also learned it's not any harder to make a version that is healthier, cheaper and more filling!! So...it took some tweaks but I finally found an easy version that my son goes back for THIRDS and thanks me for the yummy dinner...that is super awesome!! Homemade Chili Mac 1 lb ground beef 1 can diced tomatoes 1 can red beans 1 can tomato sauce 2 Tbsp cumin (or to taste) 1.5 Tbsp chili powder 1 Tbsp garlic powder 1.5 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (I use gluten free) Brown ground beef, add seasoning then cans of bean, tomatoes and sauce. Over medium heat add uncooked noodles and then turn down the heat and cover and cook for 30 min or until noodles are cooked through (gluten free seems to take a bit longer) we top with shredded cheese and pica de gallo! 

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I have heard the testimony of many who swear by homemade laundry detergent, read multiple blogs about it and even pinned a pin or two on the subject. In theory it sounded great, but I was a little intimidated (Fels whatnow???) and thought it would be hard/messy. One week at MOPS our craft activity was to make laundry soap...they did all the hard work (like find washing soda...is that near diet coke???) and I finally witnessed the insanely easy process and got to use it and find out my clothes were just as happy!! So, this week the batch I made at MOPS ran out and I was faced with a choice...buy detergent or man up and go buy the ingredients... I found myself in the detergent aisle...a little lost as they do their best to hide the 3 items I needed! I'm fairly certain the big detergent companies pay to put these items in awful locations...BUT I PREVAILED!!!! So here is the lowdown. You don't have to be a hippy/tree hugger to make this stuff...you just need a few minutes and want

The other day my friend came over to borrow a 1/2 cup of almond milk to make some cookies. As payment for my amazing feat of kindness (really, it was no problem) she paid me back in cookies!!! Best. Payment. Ever. These cookies are so perfect for me because they are naturally gluten free AND weight watchers friendly. This is VERY hard to find in a dessert! I put the bananas, applesauce, almond milk, vanilla and cinnamon in the Ninja blender and gave it a spin... then folded in the oats and raisins and spooned out onto the baking sheet. I'm pretty sure these would even be allowed if you were doing Weight Watchers "Simple Start" as long as you used fat free soy milk and no raisins!! They are insanely yummy...you must try them! I would offer you some of the ones I made today...but they will be gone as soon as the kids go to bed! :)

At one point I was REALLY good at planning meals each Sunday for the full week...then life got uber chaotic and honestly I just gave up. I still had a vague idea of what was going on...but grocery shopping took place without an itemized list and most afternoons it was a surprise to me what I would whip together for dinner (thankfully these skills have improved over the years...early in our marriage this would have resulted in me looking through the pantry and having cheerios and skittles for dinner!) This is a short week for me because I don't need to make dinner Friday night...so I sat down with the task of finding 4 yummy meals for the next 4 days AND making the shopping list fairly simple because my hubby was helping me out by going grocery shopping for me (he doesn't love grocery shopping and I usually end up confusing him...resulting in me being on the phone with him during his shopping excursion). One of my biggest challenges with meal planning is my new found gluten into